Multiple Events | Horsham VIC
Monday: 1 December
A Day of Discovery in Horsham: Sharing Bubsie’s Story
From Hamilton to Horsham
Our journey from Hamilton took us past the stunning Grampians before we rolled into Horsham, where we parked our caravans at the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Pastor Marius welcomed us warmly and helped us get connected to power. With the vans settled, we were ready for our first adventure of the day—and the weather had other ideas! The cold was biting, but our spirits were high.
Bringing History Indoors: Sunnyside Aged Care
The chilly weather turned out to be a blessing in disguise at Sunnyside Aged Care. The wonderful staff suggested we bring Bubsie right into the foyer—what a treat! We carefully laid down a tarpaulin to protect the carpet, and suddenly this vintage beauty had her own indoor showroom. The residents could shuffle around the car in comfort, taking in every detail without braving the cold.
What made this visit truly special was meeting Wilma, a radiant 102-year-old who had just celebrated her birthday! Can you imagine the stories she could tell? Glenda had her own joyful reunion when she spotted Bruce, a dear family friend, along with his daughter Lorinda—a former college mate of Kevin and Glenda’s. After so many years, it was one of those heartwarming, unexpected reconnections that makes life sweet.
We shared copies of “The Overlander” book and told the remarkable story of the first car to circumnavigate Australia. After everyone had their fill of history, we stayed to watch the residents enjoy a game of skittles. Bruce even waited outside to see us crank up Bubsie and watch her putter off to the trailer—now that’s dedication!
Young Minds, Old Wheels: Horsham College
Our second stop brought us to Horsham College, where we set up under the shade sails in the heart of campus. The auto mechanic students were first on the scene, and Kevin dove into Bubsie’s mechanics with them. You could see their eyes light up as they realized this wasn’t just history—it was engineering they could understand.
When the bell rang, the floodgates opened. Students poured out, and we handed out copies of “The Overlander” to eager hands. Kevin then took his PowerPoint presentation inside to share with about 50 students and staff, while the rest of our team stayed with Bubsie, chatting with curious students and teachers who couldn’t resist coming for a closer look.
The best part? After Kevin’s presentation, students who hadn’t grabbed a book earlier came back asking for one. We even gave the automotive teacher a ride in Bubsie before touring the school’s impressive workshop. What a way to inspire the next generation of car enthusiasts!
A Splash of Color on Main Street
Pastor Marius had saved us a prime parking spot on the corner of Firebrace Street and Roberts Avenue—right in front of a jewellery store. Here’s where things got amusing: parked in front of the shop was a little red Vespa scooter that perfectly matched Bubsie’s colour! The shop assistant joked, “No, the car matches the scooter!”—since the Vespa had been the store’s trademark long before we arrived.
The rain started to fall, but we adapted and kept going. We tucked our resources inside Bubsie and attached the side curtains to keep her dry. The wind was too fierce for our gazebo, but we made the most of it, chatting with passersby under the shelter of the storefronts.
After lunch, things quieted down a bit, but we kept sharing our story with anyone who stopped. People’s reactions to this tiny car conquering the vast Australian continent never got old! Eventually the rain eased up, we removed the curtains, and enjoyed the afternoon.
Perfect Timing: May Park
Pastor Marius proved to be our guardian angel once again, scouting ahead and securing a spot for us at May Park. The original parking space was far too windy, so we cleverly positioned Bubsie beside the amenities block for shelter. And would you believe it—we even caught some sunshine!
A group of enthusiastic car club members stopped by, and we handed out books and QR cards. One gentleman mentioned he watches Gary Kent and “The Incredible Journey” every Sunday—he was so engaged he stayed until the very end! Community members drifted by throughout our 30-minute display, each one curious about our little red time machine.
A Thai Feast to End the Day
As the sun began to set, we returned to the church to settle our caravans before heading to Pastor Marius’s home. There, we were treated to a delicious Thai meal surrounded by lovely people from the local church community. After a long, cold, but incredibly rewarding day, sharing food and fellowship was the perfect ending.
What a day it had been—four displays, countless conversations, and memories we’ll treasure forever. Bubsie may be small, but she sure knows how to bring people together!
